Syracuse Basketball: Top 30 Players in School History

Hakim Warrick will always be remembered as one of the main reasons Syracuse was able to pull it all together in 2003 and win the National championship. Yeah, there were a lot of other factors that led to that team being really special, but Warrick was the consistent threat down low on defense and offense that made it all possible.

Known by TV analysts back then as “The Ballet Dancer”, Hakim Warrick was a master of the spin move which would lead to an easy layup or ferocious dunk. Over the course of his SU career, he also developed a nice mid-range game which was perfect for Syracuse’s offense at that time. On defense, Warrick was a shot blocker whose height and long wingspan made it hard for opponents to get to the rim.

Warrick’s best play, which is also coincidentally the most memorable play in Syracuse Basketball history, was his blocked shot at the end of the National Championship game in 2003. With seconds remaining and Kansas down three, the Jayhawks would pass it to Michael Lee for an open three.

Warrick who was still down low had to rush out to meet Lee in hopes of blocking the shot. Just after the ball was released by Lee, Warrick’s long wingspan would go out to reach it and swat it away. The block all but sealed the victory for the Syracuse Orangemen.

During his Syracuse Baksetball career, Warrick got better each year he played. As a Freshman, he only averaged 6.1 points, and 4.8 rebounds, and 0.6 blocks a game, according to Sports-reference.com. His Sophomore year, he made a big jump and that year was coincidentally the one Syracuse won the national championship. That year he averaged 14.8 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.4 steals, and 1.3 blocks a game.

As a Junior, he would average 19.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists,  0.9 steals, and 1.1 blocks. His best year though he saved for last. That last season he played like an all-star averaging 21.4 points, 8.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, one steal, and 0.8 blocks a game. He would be named an All-American, All-Big East Player of the Year, Big East Tournament MVP,  as well as to the All-Big East First Team, according to Orangehoops.org. He would also help the Orange capture the Big East Tournament title as well.

In addition, Warrick’s legacy is cemented among the best all-time in Syracuse’s record books. All-Time at Syracuse he sits 5th in scoring, 4th in rebounds, 46th in assists, 60th in three-point field goals, according to Orangehoops.org. Though his highlight dunks and amazing prowess on offense and defense will never be forgotten, his legacy is secured in how he was pivotal to bringing Syracuse their first Basketball National Championship.